Overview

Our Elementary program is designed for children ages 6 to 11 and consists of Lower Elementary, which includes grades one and two, and Upper Elementary, which includes grades three through five. The program supports the emerging student as he enters a new developmental phase filled with wonder, interest, and active enthusiasm. By sparking imagination and following a student’s passion, teachers create an environment that allows children to thrive academically as well as develop a sense of belonging in the classroom and school community.

Schedules

Full Day Session – 8:30 AM to 2:45 PM, Five-Day (M-F)

Before care is available from 7:30-8:30 AM, and After care is available from 2:45-6:00 PM, daily.

Developmental Milestones

During the Elementary years, children develop improved physical abilities and better body control. Along with their physical growth and development, children begin to embrace more logical thought processes. Both these milestones enable the child to participate in organized games and activities with his peers. They are also now able to achieve mastery of basic literacy skills and continue to read and write competently. Socially, they make great advances in understanding self, morality, and friendships.

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum is purposely designed to support the student’s increased ability to begin to move from concrete use of materials that support academic concepts to developing abstract thinking. Character development shares equal importance. Students are supported in developing a sense of justice, moral development, and a strong desire to be individuals within a strong community of learners.

Each student in our Elementary program participates in small-group as well as individual lessons, working independently to complete assignment expectations. Assignments are clear and concise to meet the needs of the child’s developmental stage and to maximize accountability for success. Goals are set for each individual student’s emotional, social, and intellectual growth. To ensure proper academic achievement, there is a sequence to the curriculum, and students are expected to reach certain benchmarks at key developmental points.

Montessori teachers engage children in inquiry-based learning; they tell stories to inspire the children’s imaginations rather than present facts and figures for memorization. In support of developing academic skills, the comprehensive curriculum contains concrete and abstract concepts that are introduced each year in the form of five “Great Lessons.” The lessons vary in complexity and depth as the student ages, constantly building on what he has learned while encouraging teacher-guided independent investigation and research across all subjects. The curriculum then builds from these lessons, raising questions and enticing the student to want to learn more.

Our expectations for student accountability and achieving success resides at or above norms for all subject areas. Assessment is done in both formal and informal ways, and our goal is to use authentic assessment tools. Authentic assessment occurs when the student does not merely memorize curriculum, but applies the knowledge and skills acquired to meaningful projects and written work. The thinking process in the work becomes as important as the finished product.

What Sets Princeton Montessori Apart

Accredited at the highest level by the American Montessori Society

Led by a dedicated Head of School and engaged Board of Trustees

Staffed by a passionate team of faculty that surpasses the recommended teacher-to-student ratio set by the American Montessori Society (AMS)

Connected to PCTE, a world-renowned Montessori teacher training center as a lab school, ensuring the highest standard of a Montessori education

Set in a beautiful, natural, safe setting with state of the art learning environments

An experienced institution and a model for Montessori learning for nearly 50 years

Attended by healthy, happy, engaged, and connected families who strive to give their children the very best educational and developmental experiences available

Committed to providing the best in Montessori education and 21st Century Learning